Three years ago, “The Lego Movie” surprised audiences as a wild hit. Earlier this year, “The Lego Batman Movie” again proved that Lego and Warner Bros. studios know what they’re doing. Now, “The Lego Ninjago Movie” is no different.
“Lego Ninjago,” based on the Lego sets and TV show of the same name, follows six young ninjas in training as the protect Ninjago City from the evil Garmadon, voiced by Justin Theroux. Lloyd, voiced by Dave Franco, is the leader of the bunch as the green ninja, who also battles the pressures of being the evil Garmadon’s son.
Wanting nothing more than his father’s love, Lloyd has a meltdown, that sets in motion events that would lead the end to his beloved city. In order to save everyone from his father’s wrath, he must find a way to come to terms with his lineage and be the leader everyone relies on him to be.
The film is filled to the brim with voice talent, as its predecessors have been before it. Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Michael Peña, Olivia Munn and the incredibly talented, Jackie Chan as Master Wu, and more make the film fun and engaging for everyone.
With a cast made up of its share of comedians, the movie packs laughs by the popcorn-bucket, even if some of them don’t quite hit. This is still a Lego movie, which means it’s just a ridiculous and zany as ever, but that is the films great charm.
That doesn’t mean Ninjago is all laughs and kung fu. There is a plentiful amount of heart in the movie to keep even its theme of “changing points-of-view” at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Honestly, these moments were the only times where I truly felt taken out of the movie in any significant way as it feels as though it tries to take itself too seriously.
While the film may do all the same things its previous brothers did, the film at times does feel almost formulaic in a way that keeps the film from feeling organic. The villain is a jokester, the hero uncovers hidden truths, the never-ending jokes; it all feels “been there, done that,” but hey, so do most Disney movies at their core.
Other than that, “The Lego Ninjago Movie” is a fun ride for all ages, including those who have next-to-know clue what Ninjago is — aka me.
“The Lego Ninjago Movie” carries with it the spirit of the movies that came before, daring to be as jubilant and boisterous as it ought to be, while still remaining grounded in it’s messaging. A true film for the whole family, Lego and Warner Bros. have stumbled upon their animated money-makers, and I’m thinking they’re here to stay.
Overall score: 4/4
Reach the reporter at balnero13@gmail.com or follow @BaldnerOwen on Twitter.
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